USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
May 9, 2012 Issue
OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randy J. Savarese
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintains a constant flow of information while the ship participates in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in the Arabian Sea. Much of what this watch team accomplishes is shrouded in secrecy, but its mission to locate and identify all of the aircraft, ships and even submarines operating around Enterprise, is paramount to the ship’s ability to carry out missions like OEF. On the surface side, ships are tracked and identified and this Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey works at his station in the combat direction center information is updated (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). constantly so the decision makers can plan the coast of Virginia where we know everything that is flying and coordinate operations in the safest and most efficient way. around us.” “The challenges right now are to make sure we take care The core of CDC’s mission is to make sure every craft of the strike group and all the friendly units out here,” said operating near the strike group is identified so if threats arise, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ferocious Parker, the Force they can be dealt with in the most effective way possible. Over The Horizon Track Coordinator. In usual Enterprise fashion, missions have been going off Another important task performed by the sailors in CDC without any serious hindrance and the information the strike is ensuring that aircraft destined for OEF-related missions are group uses to assess threats and continue its cycle of success, properly identified and that their various radios and secure has been flowing thanks to the work done by the CDC. communications equipment are all fully functioning. “In terms of providing support for the air wing going out CDC personnel also monitor non-air wing aircraft. on OEF missions and returning, monitoring the radar for each “OEF can get a little tricky for us sometimes because we of the aircraft coming or going, performing the identification have to keep a very close monitor all aircraft in this area of of who is friend or foe and working with the air defense operation (AOR),” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew commander all those roles are going very well,” said Cmdr. Gowdey, the Sea Combat Air Controller. “There are a lot of Scott Stringer, Combat Direction Center Officer. “We have been planes in the air that we have to watch. “It’s not like being off really successful so far.”
The Shuttle
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MCSN Randy J. Savarese
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. navy.mil.
Photo by MCSN Randy J. Savarese
Commanding Officer Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.
Executive Officer Capt. G. C. Huffman
Command Master Chief ABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler
Editors MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Brian G. Reynolds
The Shuttle
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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In the News
Fleet Plans Review Of Female Uniforms By Sam Fellman, NAVY TIMES
U.S. Navy photo
The Navy’s top personnel officer has directed a wideranging review of female uniforms for comfort and fit this year after a random sampling of female sailors revealed room for improvement, according to a fleetwide message May 7 announcing the review. In addition, the Navy is looking whether body armor and flight equipment should be tailored to different body types. In March 2011, the Navy’s uniform development lab began gathering reactions from 375 female officers and enlisted about their uniforms, according to NAVADMIN 154/12. “The evaluation of the preliminary survey and focus groups responses confirmed that a fleet-wide random sampling survey of female sailors (officer and enlisted) is warranted to obtain a broader base of analysis of women uniform concerns and recommended solutions,” says the
message, released by Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, the chief of naval personnel. Officials hope the initiative will improve female uniforms and build on successes such as the popular khaki overblouses, worn by officers and chiefs. The review includes measuring 5,000 sailors - half men, half women - as part of a body type study to see whether body composition changes are needed for body armor and flight equipment, the message says. Officials also will launch a pilot program this year to test a common cover for all hands - part of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’ push for a more gender-neutral service. At the Naval Academy, female midshipmen and members of the band will don male combination covers and ‘Dixie cups’ through the next academic year. Women assigned to the Navy Ceremonial Guard will wear Dixie cups and service dress blue jumpers during ceremonies. And female band members at the Fleet Forces and Pacific Fleet bands will wear Dixie cups during performances. As a result of the uniform feedback, some uniform changes already have been made to new female uniforms: - Service dress coats. Backing buttons added to be more similar to male dress coat design. - Female slacks. Binding added over the edge of the inner stitching to improve look and prevent chaffing. - Service shirts. Stitching added to prevent fraying of bottom hem, side seams and front facing The fleetwide survey of females will seek input on items such as dress blue coat design; fit of khaki slacks and service uniform shirts; overblouse appearance with a jacket or sweater; and options for maternity outerwear.
Navy: Trials Successful For Newest LCS By Christopher P. Cavas, NAVY TIMES with Marinette Marine’s excellent The newest littoral combat ship craftsmanship resulted in relatively successfully completed its acceptance few material deficiencies.” trials May 4, the Navy announced The ship, built at Fincantieri Monday, clearing the way for the Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis., is ship’s delivery. the second LCS from prime contractor The Navy’s Board of Inspection Lockheed Martin. Freedom (LCS 1), and Survey (INSURV) examined the first ship, was delivered from the the major systems and equipment of same shipyard in 2008. the Fort Worth (LCS 3) during the The Navy will take possession of four-day trial run on Lake Michigan, the Fort Worth sometime this spring, including the propulsion plant, ship and later in the summer the 378-foothandling and auxiliary systems. long ship will begin the long trek to “Fort Worth performed extremely the sea across the Great Lakes and well during its trials,” LCS Program through the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Manager Capt. John Neagley said A commissioning ceremony is to be in an emailed statement. “The held Sept. 22 in Galveston, Texas, and ship’s level of completion coupled
afterwards the ship will continue to its homeport of San Diego, Calif. The Fort Worth’s acceptance trials followed initial builderís trials run in October before the lakes were closed for the winter. Further builder’s trials were carried out in early April. The Freedom already is operating from the Southern California port, and was joined for the first time on May 2 by the Independence (LCS 2), the first ship from rival shipbuilder Austal USA. A total of 24 LCS ships, split between Lockheed and Austal, are either in service, under construction or on order.
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sailors of the Day Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Damion M. Powell
Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman William Spencer
HM3 Damion Powell, from West Monroe, La., joined the Navy six years ago. Powell enjoys watching new movies, playing video games and hanging out with his friends. In the future, he plans to go to “C” school and buy a new car.
AEAN William Spencer, from Bismarck, N.D., joined the Navy two years and six months ago to have a career, set up a good future for himself and help his mother. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. His future goals are to make a career using the skills he gained in the Navy.
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